Doctor Faustus By Christopher Marlowe Summary and Analysis Scene 12



SCENE 12

Enter the DUKE OF VANHOLT, the DUCHESS, and FAUSTUS.

DUKE.
Believe me, Master Doctor, this merriment hath much pleased
me.

FAUSTUS.
My gracious lord, I am glad it contents you so well.
— But it may be, madam, you take no delight in this. I have heard
that great-bellied women do long for some dainties or other: what
is it, madam? tell me, and you shall have it.

DUCHESS.
Thanks, good Master Doctor: and, for I see your courteous
intent to pleasure me, I will not hide from you the thing my heart
desires; and, were it now summer, as it is January and the dead
time of the winter, I would desire no better meat than a dish
of ripe grapes.

FAUSTUS.
Alas, madam, that's nothing! — Mephistophilis, be gone.
[Exit MEPHISTOPHILIS.] Were it a greater thing than this, so it
would content you, you should have it.

Re-enter MEPHISTOPHILIS with grapes.

Here they be, madam: wilt please you taste on them?

DUKE.
Believe me, Master Doctor, this makes me wonder above the
rest, that being in the dead time of winter and in the month of
January, how you should come by these grapes.

FAUSTUS.
If it like your grace, the year is divided into two
circles over the whole world, that, when it is here winter with
us, in the contrary circle it is summer with them, as in India,
Saba, and farther countries in the east; and by means of a
swift spirit that I have, I had them brought hither, as you see.
— How do you like them, madam? be they good?

DUCHESS.
Believe me, Master Doctor, they be the best grapes that
e'er I tasted in my life before.

FAUSTUS.
I am glad they content you so, madam.

DUKE.
Come, madam, let us in, where you must well reward this
learned man for the great kindness he hath shewed to you.

DUCHESS.
And so I will, my lord; and, whilst I live, rest
beholding for this courtesy.

FAUSTUS.
I humbly thank your grace.

DUKE.
Come, Master Doctor, follow us, and receive your reward.
[Exeunt.]

Summary

At the court of the duke of Vanholt, Faustus asks the duchess, who is with child, if she has a desire for any special dainties. Although it is January, she desires to have a dish of ripe grapes. Faustus sends Mephistophilis after them, and when he returns with them, the duke wonders how this could be accomplished. Faustus explains that he sent his spirit to India for them. The duchess exclaims that the grapes are the best she has ever tasted. The duke promises Faustus that he will reward him greatly for this favor.

Analysis

Once again this scene shows what insignificant feats Faustus accomplishes with his powers. Faustus performs a magical trick of obtaining fresh grapes at the request of the nobility. The learned doctor spends some of his last fleeting moments providing "merriment" and "delight" for the duke and duchess. Faustus succeeds in temporarily diverting himself and others from important concerns of life.